Sanchez breaks Chile scoring record in Germany draw
KAZAN,Russia(Reuters) - Alexis Sanchez became Chile’s all-time leading scorer when he grabbed an early goal in their 1-1 draw against Germany at the Confederations Cup on Thursday.
Lars Stindl equalised for the world champions just before halftime although the game petered out in the second half as the high-octane Chileans appeared to run out of gas.
The result left both teams level at the top of Group B with four points each from their opening two games, although Chile have the better goal difference.
The top two teams go through to the semi-finals and there is one round of matches in the group on Sunday, with Germany facing Cameroon and Chile playing Australia.
Sanchez’s goal was his 38th for Chile in 113 appearances as he overtook the previous scoring record held by Marcelo Salas. Germany, now unbeaten in 12 games since their Euro 2016 semi-final exit, gifted Chile a sixth-minute lead when Shkodran Mustafi attempted to play the ball out of defence.
He sent his pass straight to Sanchez who played a one-two with Vidal and toepoked the ball in off the post.
The referee poured cold water on Chile’s goal celebrations by appearing to call for a video reply, possibly to look at a scything tackle by Mustafi on Vidal, although the goal was quickly confirmed.
Defender Matthias Ginter made a similar mistake soon after but was let off the hook as Germany struggled to cope with the South American side’s high pressing and quick passing.
Chile came close to a second when Eduardo Vargas rattled the underside of the bar with a long-range drive and Sanchez continued to pester them with his marauding runs down the left.
But Germany equalised against the run of play four minutes before halftime when Stindl turned the ball home from close range after Emre Can’s diagonal pass had sent Jonas Hector free on the left to fire a low cross into the middle.
The second half was much quieter with Stindl producing Germany’s best effort, a low shot saved by Johnny Herrera. ST PETERSBURG, Russia, (Reuters) Australia fought back to draw 1-1 with Cameroon in the Confederations Cup on Thursday, a result that further dents both countries’ hopes of progressing in the eight-team tournament in Russia.
Andre Franck Zambo Anguissa put Cameroon ahead with the last touch of the first half, but a Mark Milligan penalty on the hour mark ensured a first point for both in Group B.
Australia play Chile in Moscow on Sunday and Cameroon face Germany at the same time in Sochi in their final group games.
Yet the chances of both the African and Asian champions finishing in the top two and progressing to the semi-finals look slim.
Australia and Cameroon were meeting for the first time and traded free kicks in the opening 20 minutes but it took until the 37th minute for either to create an opening.
Australia keeper Matt Ryan was called into action after a smart one-two between Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo and striker Vincent Aboubakar allowed the former to fire at goal.
The African champions ended the first half with a succession of corners and then opened the scoring with the last kick before the break.
A long ball out of defence bounced over Aboubakar but Zambo Anguissa’s deft touch steered it past the on-rushing Ryan.
The Olympique de Marseille midfielder, who spurned a call-up to play for Cameroon when they won the African Nations Cup in Gabon at the start of the year, missed out on a second in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Australia levelled on the hour mark when Ernest Mabouka brought down Alex Gersbach to concede a penalty, after Serbian referee Milorad Mazic consulted the Video Assistant.
Stand-in skipper Milligan stepped up and converted from the spot.
Mabouka sought to make amends with a strong run down the right in the 65th minute before he teed up Aboubakar right in front of goal, but the burly striker lifted the ball over the crossbar.